Gravity driven pile tower based device for pipeline lifting and support and method of use

ABSTRACT

A system and method for securely cradling a subsea pipeline is claimed that lands on one side of the pipeline, is embedded into the sea floor, reaches under the pipeline, positions the cradling structure, and then lifts the pipeline. The system typically comprises a gravity driven pile based device, comprising a pile tower, a roller carriage assembly, and a jacking assembly that engages the roller carriage assembly and pile tower rails.

RELATION TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/632,981 filed Oct. 1, 2012, currently allowed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed inventions relate to a tool for securely cradling a subsea pipeline. More specifically, the disclosed inventions relate to a tool for securely cradling a subsea pipeline which land on one side of the pipeline and embed into the sea floor near the pipeline.

BACKGROUND

Subsea pipelines need to be elevated with respect to the sea floor proximate the pipeline on occasion for numerous reasons. It is often advantageous for such a tool to be capable of securely cradling the pipeline.

DRAWINGS

The various drawings supplied herein describe and are representative of exemplary embodiments of the invention and are described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a view in partial perspective of an exemplary embodiment of the device, and FIG. 1A is a view in partial perspective of a detail of the device;

FIG. 2 is a view in partial perspective of an exemplary embodiment of the roller arm assembly, and FIGS. 2A-2B are views in partial perspective of details of the exemplary embodiment of the roller arm assembly;

FIG. 3 is a top-down view in partial perspective of an exemplary embodiment of the roller assembly;

FIG. 4.1 and FIG. 4.2, collectively referred to herein as FIG. 4, are top-down views in partial perspective of an exemplary embodiment of the roller assembly, and FIGS. 4A-4F are view in partial perspective of details of the exemplary embodiment of the roller assembly;

FIG. 5 is a view in partial perspective of an exemplary embodiment of the jacking assembly, and FIGS. 5A-5G are views in partial perspective of details of the exemplary embodiment of the device;

FIG. 6 is a view in partial perspective of an installed deployment of an exemplary embodiment of the device;

FIG. 7 is a view in partial perspective of a device embedded in the sea floor with the roller arm assembly extended underneath a pipeline in an exemplary embodiment of the device;

FIG. 8 is a view in partial perspective of a device embedded in the sea floor with the roller arm assembly extended underneath a pipeline and the cylinder extended in an exemplary embodiment of the device;

FIG. 9 is a view in partial perspective of a device embedded in the sea floor with the roller arm assembly engaged with and supporting the pipeline in an exemplary embodiment of the device; and

FIG. 10 is a view in partial perspective of a device embedded in the sea floor with the cylinder and lead screw assemblies removed in an exemplary embodiment of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring generally to FIGS. 1 and 6, in general, in various embodiments device 1 is a tool that lands on one side of a pipeline, e.g. pipeline 100 (FIG. 6), and embeds into the sea floor, usually using gravity. Device 1 comprises components that reach under pipeline 100 in order to position a cradling component of device 1. Device 1 provides a length of vertical adjustability for pipeline 100 and supports a load applied by the weight of pipeline 100. The cradle must provide sufficient surface area to avoid excessive stress concentration on pipeline 100. In preferred embodiments, the main structure of device 1 is fabricated out of 16″ OD, 1″ wall thickness riser pipe. In various embodiments, device 1 is capable of being sent overboard from a vessel in a horizontal position and deployed subsea in a vertical position.

In general, device 1 comprises three major subassemblies: pile tower 10, roller carriage assembly 30, and jacking assembly 70.

Pile tower 10 is the main structural component of device 1. In typical configurations it comprises three equally spaced legs 15. In an embodiment, legs 15 are 16″ OD riser pipes around 57 feet in length. Preferably, legs 15 comprise API X70 steel with the ends, other than I-beams 111 (FIG. 2A) and cylinder mounting slots 112 (FIG. 5A), made of ASTM A36 steel. I-beams 111, rails 3 (FIG. 5E), and cylinder mounting slots 112 are typically made from grade 70 steel.

The top of pile tower 10 is typically tied together with three gussets which are themselves tied to a short section of middle pipe which is raised above the level of legs 15. A three inch thick pad-eye may protrude from the middle pipe and allow for a vertical deployment of pile tower 10.

Skirt 20 comprises one or more skirts 22 connected to the bottom of legs 15. Skirt 20 also provides a bearing surface for embedment into seabed 110 (FIG. 6). In a preferred embodiment, skirt 20 comprises three skirts 22, each of which measures around 1″ thick by around 55″ wide by around 300″ tall. Skirts 22 each have one or more holes to vent seawater during embedment, typically two holes having around a 12″ diameter. Scale 11 may be present to measure a level of embedment, e.g. starting at 5 feet above a mud line. In typical embodiments, skirts 22 are stitch welded to legs 15.

In some embodiments, a small mud mat 21 provides surface area for resistance during embedment. Mud mat 21 typically sits above skirt 20 and extends out past legs 15. Mud mat 21 has vent holes and, in certain embodiments, provides around at least 4250 square inches of surface area. In certain embodiments, one or more anodes are welded to the top of mud mat 21 to provide cathodic protection, e.g. ten twenty-nine pound anodes 27.

One or more rails 14, which in a preferred embodiment comprise gear tooth rails, are disposed along the outside of at least two legs 15 of pile tower 10 to provide one part of a ratcheting mechanism. Rails 14 are typically around two-inches wide and extend from mud mat 21 up to the top of pile tower 10. One of legs 15 may comprise scale 11 which may be painted on an outer surface of leg 15. Scale 11 may vary according to the desired height of pile tower 10 and usually measures an elevation above mud mat 21.

The top of pile tower 10, e.g. landing funnel 80, may be angled toward the center to provide a landing “funnel” for a weighted follower.

Lifting bail 2 (FIG. 1A) may also be present, attached to the bottom of pile tower 10, to facilitate horizontal lifting and overboarding operations.

In some embodiments, pile tower 10 is coated in three coat epoxy, except for a portion of pile tower 10 below a certain foot mark on 21, which is left uncoated.

Roller carriage assembly 30 is the component that physically contacts pipeline 100 (FIG. 6). Roller carriage assembly 30 comprises three major subassemblies: carriage weldment 40, lead screw drive assembly 60, and roller arm assembly 50.

Carriage weldment 40 is a load-bearing part and typically comprises three or more plates 31, which are preferably 18″ ID rolled plates, which are tied together with top plate 34 and bottom plate 35. Two rolled plates 31 comprise slots and channels 36 on their respective sides to allow rails 14 to pass through rolled plates 31. Rails 3 (FIG. 5E) mounted to bottom plate 35 secure a sliding roller frame 54 to carriage weldment 40.

Latch mount plates 4 (FIG. 5A) on top of each channel 36 act as mounting points for latches 33. A smaller hole 113 (FIG. 5b ) on each of latch mount plates 4 allows for a lockout pin (not shown in the figures) to be installed which overrides the ratcheting mechanism.

Two slotted cylinder plates 112 (FIG. 5A) are mounted on top of carriage weldment 40. Cylinder 114 (FIG. 5) slides into slots 115 (FIG. 5D) in slotted cylinder plates 112.

Lead screw drive assembly 60 typically comprises a hydraulically powered unit, e.g. motor 63, that drives roller arm assembly 50 back and forth along an axis defined by roller frame 54. In preferred embodiments, lead screw drive assembly 60 is able to be removed subsea to extend its life. Motor 63 is preferably a 240 cc hydraulic motor which is coupled to lead screw 61 which can vary in length as needed, e.g. from around 1.5 inches to around 5 inches, with a typical travel of around 59 inches.

Motor mounting frame 6 (FIG. 4B) houses a docking probe receptacle, 17H dual port manifold 7 (FIG. 5G), and motor 63. The docking probe receptacle interfaces with the docking probe on the carriage. Lead screw 61 nut is flanged and is attached to a drive plate. The drive plate interfaces with slots on the roller frame in order to drive it back and forth. Two stainless rods running the length of the screw prevent the drive plate from rotating while the screw is rotating. The 17H manifold provides an ROV interface for driving roller arm assembly 50.

Roller arm assembly 50 slides in and out of carriage weldment 40 on roller frame 54. Lead screw drive assembly 60 is removable and interfaces with carriage weldment 40 and roller arm assembly 50 in order to drive roller arm assembly 50 forward and backward with respect an axis defined by carriage weldment 40. Latches on the sides of carriage weldment 40 interface with the gear rack in order to perform a one-way ratcheting function. Two ROV operable pins on top of carriage weldment 40 allow for the cylinder to be removed subsea. One 725 pound anode is welded to the top of carriage weldment 40 and provides cathodic protection for the carriage, as well as pile tower 10. UHMW strips line the inside of each of the three rolled plates of the carriage. This reduces friction and eliminates the possibility of carriage weldment 40 binding up while being lifted under load.

A set of rollers 52 is mounted to roller frame 54, which typically comprises a set of cantilevered I-beams, and roller frame 54 is typically mounted to carriage weldment 40 to support pipeline 100. A hydraulic motor and lead screw are used to drive the I-Beams back and forth. Latch pawls interface with the gear teeth on pile tower 10 to perform a one-way ratcheting action.

Roller box assembly 50 defines a pipeline interface and allows for free axial movement of pipeline 100 (FIG. 6) due to expansion via three rollers 52, 53. Roller arm assembly 50 comprises roller frame 54, typically a set of matching I-beams, slotted drive mount 9 (FIG. 4C), and roller box assembly 59.

In embodiments, roller frame uses a set of I-beams that ride along rails 3 (FIG. 5E) in carriage assembly 40.

Drive mount 9 is typically bolted to the back of roller frame 54 and accepts drive plate 116 (FIG. 4A) on lead screw drive assembly 60. Machined plate 117 (FIG. 4D) rides on top of roller frame 54 and houses the bearing and hub for roller box assembly 59.

Roller box assembly 59 contains typically contains two or more rollers 52, 53, preferably three rollers 52, 53 as well as mounting plates 118 (FIG. 4D), hub 119 (FIG. 4E) (which can be a pivoting base), and bearings 120 (FIG. 4F). Two outside rollers 52 match the radius of pipeline 100 (FIG. 6) and extend up to three inches below the centerline of pipeline 100. Middle roller 53 matches the radius of pipeline 100 but does not extend up the side of pipeline 100. Rollers 52, 53 are typically disposed about stainless steel axles (not specifically shown in the figures). Rollers 52, 53 are held together with two mount plates 118 (FIG. 4D), which preferably comprise bronze bushings for bearings.

A pivoting base 119 (FIG. 4E) of roller box assembly 50 allows rollers 52 to dynamically conform (pitch) to the actual pipeline 100 position, thus ensuring an equal distribution of weight on all three rollers 52, 53 at all times.

The hub weldment supports the rollers 52 and has a bronze bearing cup around it to reduce friction. Roller box assembly can usually pivot up and down, as well as yaw side-to-side, but cannot roll side-to-side.

The roller shafts and hub typically comprise 316 stainless steel. The surfaces of rollers 52, 53 typically comprise 90 durometer polyurethane.

Jacking assembly 70 comprises jacking frame 77, latches 72, two ROV operable pins 74, and two anodes 121 (FIG. 5F) and is used to raise roller carriage assembly 30. Its “inchworm” hydraulic lifting mechanism is typically completely removable and comprises a hydraulic lifting mechanism and lateral adjustment hydraulic motor-driven screw-drive mechanism which allows for removal for ease of repairs and preservation/storage for future deployment/adjustments as required.

Jacking frame 77 comprises two rolled plates 71, which act as interfaces for rails 14, connected by I-beam 78. Rolled plates 71 slide up and down along rails 14. Channels 79 in the sides of rolled plates 71 allow clearance for rails 14 on pile tower 10. Holes 79 a in each channel 79 allow for lockout pins (not shown in the figures) to be installed in order to set the location of jacking frame 77 relative to legs 15.

Mounting plates (not shown in the figures) may be used for mounting one-way latches 72. The mounting plates may also comprise a smaller secondary hole (not shown in the figures) which can be used to unlock and override the one-way ratcheting feature.

Two slotted plates 112 (FIG. 5A) on the bottom side of I-beam 79 provide a mounting location for cylinder 114 (FIG. 5).

Jacking frame 77 also comprises two threaded bosses on the front in order for a continuity pin (not shown in the figures) to be installed.

Two 725 pound anodes 121 (FIG. 5F) are attached to the back of jacking frame 77 to provide cathodic protection for jacking frame 77 and pile tower 10.

Jacking frame 77 typically uses the same one-way latch pawls 72 as does roller carriage assembly 30.

Cylinder assembly 121 (FIG. 5F) is used to alternately raise jacking frame 77 and roller carriage assembly 30. ROV operable pins allow for removal of cylinder 114 (FIG. 5). Cylinder assembly 122 (FIG. 5G) consists of cylinder 114 and hydraulic control panel 123 (FIG. 5G). Cylinder 114 typically has a bore of around 5 inches and with 2 feet of total stroke. In preferred embodiments, cylinder 114 is rated for up to 55,000 pounds of force when extending and 45,000 pounds when retracting.

Cylinder 114 (FIG. 5) is typically fitted with trunion nuts 124 (FIG. 5G) to allow it to be installed and removed from slotted plates 112 (FIG. 5A) on carriage weldment 40 and jacking frames 77. Hydraulic control panel houses a 17H dual port manifold, as well as a 5000 psi pressure gauge. The gauge can be used to roughly estimate the weight of the load being lifted. The 17H manifold allows for ROV control of the cylinder.

In preferred embodiments, rotating components comprise 45 ksi nickel aluminum bronze; pins, rotating shafts, or areas where corrosion resistance is important comprise 316 stainless steel; and rolled plates which ride up and down legs 15 comprise ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (“UHMW”).

In the operation of various embodiments, referring additionally to FIGS. 6-9, after device 1 is embedded into sea floor 110, an ROV will actuate motor 63 which will turn lead screw 61, thus extending roller box assembly 59 until rollers 52,53 are directly under pipeline 100. The ROV will then swivel roller box assembly 59 until roller box assembly 59 is axially aligned with pipeline 100. The ROV will then actuate cylinder 114 (FIG. 5) in order to extend it and thereby extend cylinder 114. One-way latches 33 on carriage weldment 40 will keep carriage weldment 40 from moving down, while one-way latches 72 on jacking frame 77 allow jacking frame 77 to move upward. Once the cylinder is fully extended, the ROV will then retract the cylinder. The cylinder will retract. The one-way latches will keep jacking frame 77 from moving down, while the one-way latches on carriage weldment 40 will allow carriage weldment 40 to be pulled up by the cylinder. This process is repeated until pipeline 100 is at the desired height. The ROV will then install pins in carriage weldment 40 and jacking frame 77 to fix its position. The ROV will install continuity pins in the 5 threaded bosses on carriage weldment 40 and jacking frame 77. The ROV will then remove cylinder assembly 122 (FIG. 5G) as well as lead screw drive assembly 60.

During lifting operations, pile tower 10 will be lifted by a two-part sling via a padeye at the top of pile tower 10, and a lifting bail at the bottom of pile tower 10. A 60° sling angle will be used when lifting. This will result in roughly 35,000 pounds of force on each lifting eye. During transport, pile tower 10 will be laid on deck horizontally. Device 1 will lay with its pipeline-facing side facing down on the deck. Timbers or other blocks will be laid under pile tower 10 to raise the structure slightly off of the deck. The 60,000 pound weight of device 1 will rest on these timbers.

It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated above in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principle and scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of supporting a pipeline subsea, comprising: a) positioning a gravity driven pile based device to a predetermined position near a subsea pipeline, the gravity driven pile based device comprising: i) a pile tower, comprising: 1) a plurality of legs arranged parallel to each other to define an interior comprising an interior longitudinal central axis; 2) a predetermined number of rails disposed about an outside of a plurality of the legs, the rails comprising outwardly exposed teeth; and 3) a skirt dimensioned and adapted to receive the plurality of legs and to further provide a bearing surface for embedment into soil; ii) a roller carriage assembly dimensioned and adapted to engage the rails, the roller carriage assembly further comprising: 1) a carriage weldment comprising a selectively removable cylinder; 2) a lead screw drive assembly comprising a motor operatively engaged with a lead screw; and 3) a roller arm assembly dimensioned and adapted to conform to an support the pipeline, the roller arm assembly comprising a plurality of rollers attached to a movable roller box, the roller arm assembly operatively engaged to the lead screw drive and slidingly engaged to the carriage weldment; and 4) a jacking assembly dimensioned and adapted to engage the roller carriage assembly and the rails, the jacking assembly attached to the carriage assembly and the roller arm assembly; b) allowing the weight of the gravity driven pile based device to embed a predetermined portion of the gravity driven pile based device into a sea floor proximate the pipeline; c) after the gravity driven pile based device is embedded into the sea floor, actuating a motor to turn the lead screw, thus extending the rollers until they are directly under the pipeline; d) using a remotely operated vehicle (“ROV”) to move the roller box until the roller box is axially aligned with the pipeline; e) using the ROV to actuate the cylinder, thereby extending the cylinder to change a position of the jacking frame assembly; f) once the cylinder is fully extended, using the ROV to retract the cylinder to reposition the carriage assembly; g) repeating the process in steps (d)-(f) until the pipeline is at a desired height relative to the sea floor; h) using the ROV to install a first pin in the carriage assembly and a second pin in the jacking frame to fix the positions of the carriage assembly and the jacking frame relative to the sea floor; and i) using the ROV to install a continuity pin in a threaded boss on the carriage and jacking frame.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising using an ROV to actuate the motor.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: a) using a first one-way latch attached to the carriage assembly to keep the carriage assembly from moving towards the sea floor; and b) using a second one-way latch attached to the jacking frame to allow the jacking frame to move away from the sea floor.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: a) retracting the cylinder; b) using the one-way latches to keep the jacking frame from moving towards the sea floor during the cylinder retraction; and c) using the one-way latches on the carriage assembly to allow the carriage to be pulled up by the cylinder.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising using the ROV to remove the cylinder assembly and the lead screw drive assembly to fix the frame into a predetermined position.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein using an ROV to move the roller box until it is axially aligned with the pipeline comprises swiveling the roller box.
 7. A method of retrieving a gravity driven pile based device configured to support a pipeline subsea, comprising: a) attaching a sling to a gravity driven pile based device deployed subsea, the gravity driven pile based device comprising: i) a pile tower, comprising: 1) a plurality of legs arranged parallel to each other to define an interior comprising an interior longitudinal central axis; 2) a predetermined number of rails disposed about an outside of a plurality of the legs, the rails comprising outwardly exposed teeth; and 3) a skirt dimensioned and adapted to receive the plurality of legs and to further provide a bearing surface for embedment into soil; ii) a roller carriage assembly dimensioned and adapted to engage the rails, the roller carriage assembly further comprising: 1) a carriage weldment comprising a selectively removable cylinder; 2) a lead screw drive assembly comprising a motor operatively engaged with a lead screw; and 3) a roller arm assembly dimensioned and adapted to conform to an support the pipeline, the roller arm assembly comprising a plurality of rollers attached to a movable roller box, the roller arm assembly operatively engaged to the lead screw drive and slidingly engaged to the carriage weldment; and 4) a jacking assembly dimensioned and adapted to engage the roller carriage assembly and the rails, the jacking assembly attached to the carriage assembly and the roller arm assembly; b) attaching a lifting bail at a bottom of the pile tower; c) lifting the gravity driven pile based device; and d) using the sling to support the gravity driven pile based device during lifting.
 8. The method of retrieving a gravity driven pile based device configured to support a pipeline subsea of claim 7, wherein the sling comprises a two-part sling.
 9. The method of retrieving a gravity driven pile based device configured to support a pipeline subsea of claim 7, wherein the sling is attached to a padeye located proximate the top of the pile tower.
 10. The method of retrieving a gravity driven pile based device configured to support a pipeline subsea of claim 7, wherein lifting comprises using a predetermined sling angle during lifting.
 11. The method of retrieving a gravity driven pile based device configured to support a pipeline subsea of claim 10, wherein the sling angle comprises substantially a 60° sling angle. 